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.R525 
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1919 
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MACON, GEORGIA 
McEVOY BOOK COMPANY 

1919 



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Copyright. 1919 
Bif Clipton Bridges 



©Ci.A51)8928 

JAN -8 1919 



^•^ 1 1 



Sntrobuftion 

Upon a parlor table once, 

I saw a littlt hook; 
And when beneath the lid of it 

I chanced to take a look, 
1 saw a foreword written there — 

*Twas surely born of pride — 
The spirit of it ran like this : 

* ' Kind Friends, herein I hide 
A work on which Fve done my best 

And when you've read it thru, 
If you should not appreciate 

It, then the fault's with you." 
But as I introduce to you. 

The lines beneath this lid, 
I surely cannot say the words 

That this good writer did. 
For tho Fve done my best for you, 

And tried hard to portray 
My higher motives, better thoughts. 

And ideals in this way, 
I know this human hand of jnine. 

This earthly pen I use, 
Could never write the thousand things 

The human mind might choose. 
I thank you ij you read my rhymes 

And think awhile with me : 
Perhaps then with a clearer eye 

Some hardship you will see. 
Or maybe with a firmer grip 

On God and righteousness 
You'll be the Victor over sin — 

Thereby another bless. 
Forgive me for the time I take 

If, when you're through with these 
Few thoughts I offer you within, 

You do not like them, please. 

CLIFTON BRIDGES. 

Macon, Ga., Dec. 1st, 1918. 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



iMj> ^ijip 



OU'VE found your ship," the Master cries, '' Ahoy ! " 
Now waste no time, put out to sea, my boy. 
A boon and blessing comes to you today ; 
You've found your v/ork, then hoist your sail, away. 
An easy route? Life holds for no man one— 
For he who v/ins will find it hard to run. 

** There'll be wild winds and billows boist'rous bold 
To beat against you stormily, and hold 
You fast, unless you fight against them hard 
And never let them once your ship retard. 
It takes hard work to count for anything 
And idle moments leave a bitter sting. 

**If once you think that safety reigns, behold. 
Life's ocean may a deadly rock unfold ! 
Or, if you stop to talk about the tide, 
As though your ship, self-governed, home would glide, 
While you are of your danger unaware, 
The tide will leap and. vict'ry from you tear. 

"For, lo, the sea of life with crag is filled— 
The voyage hard, for so the Father willed. 
Yet you can v/in— it's not beyond your might— 
For all the v/ay the Lord will help you fight. 
Go in His might, and duty cling to fast ; 
Now launch your ship, and Victor be at Last ! " 

The Silver Clarion, May. 1917. 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



Volunteer 

fEN ! American men, stand ! 
^ List to the call of a free born land ; 
The time has come when she needs your hand 
Volunteer ! 

Old Glory waves— will you respect it ? 
As danger threatens it, protect it ? 
You've its call— can you reject it ? 
Volunteer ! 

Blood of past patriots courses your veins. 
Unless it has run low, now give it reins, 
And let it control your brawn and brains- 
Volunteer ! 

Stir up the heritage within you 
And if you let it, it will win you ; 
Then as pride swells ev'ry sinew- 
Volunteer ! 

It isn't play, it's the work of a man, 
To put on the glorious garb of tan, 
And get in line to do what you can- 
Volunteer ! 

It's hard work and danger, but say, Friend, 
Will glory await us, if at the end 
All of our sailing has been with the wind ? 
Volunteer ! 

Conscription comes, you can't debate it; 
True patriots will not await it- 
Else afterward you'll surely hate it- 
Volunteer ! 

Do not be, like a convict, driven— 
From whom the gift of choice is riven, 
But let your part be freely given- 
Volunteer ! 

Be a man instead of a symbol, 
Prove that you are what you resemble, 
Though to do it may make you tremble- 
Volunteer ! 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



Discard a form that's wholly hollow ; 
Take off that flag embellished " Collah,'^ 
Get you beneath a gun and follow — 
Volunteer ! 



The Macon Daily Telegraph, April 29, 1917. 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



iWp (Georgia (§ixl 

^BT^ONiGHT in old Camp Cotton, 
^^ Beneath a silent sky, 
Four thousand Georgia soldiers, 

In air that's cold and dry, 
Sleep in a ''canvas city," 

Beside the Rio Grande, 
And dream of home and sweetheart 

Across the country land. 

The Western sun has melted 

Into the rainbow's hues. 
The moon, from o'er the mountain, 

In silence, seems to muse 
O'er camp fires that are marking 

The privates walking post ; 
And these are they who're thinking 

Of home and sweetheart most. 

And 'twixt the fire before me 

And Texas heavens of blue, 
I see the face, I fancy, 

My Georgia Girl of you. 
And while, forgetting duty, 

I gaze into your face, 
My love grows firmer for you. 

Dear Girl of Georgia grace. 

The Mexicans we're watching, 

Across the river there. 
Some day will cease their raiding- 

Some day they'll peace declare. 
Then we'll go back to Georgia, 

The flag of war we'll furl, 
To look no more at visions— 

Instead, a Georgia Girl. 



The Macon Daily Telegraph, Dec. 1916. 



10 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



'TT IKE children, you're playing, 
^ And carelessly saying : 

" It's a terrible w?ir, over there." 
But what are you giving, 
While peacefully living, 

For him v/ho is doing your share ? 

The millions are dying, 
And others are crying 

For help you could easily give. 
If you could be shaken 
Until you awaken, 

You'd help some one, dying, to live. 

A life full of leisure 

That glistens with pleasure 

Has most made an ingrate of you ! 
You pass up with sighing 
The news that they're dying, 

Just asking what else you could do. 

But you could be speeding 
To wounds that are bleeding 

A good contribution— not dross ; 
Help make the load lighter 
For some noble fighter 

And give through your local Red Cross ! 

Tha Macon Daily Telegraph, October, 1917 



'Witjrations 



URSTING forth like thunder sounds before a rain — 
Crying out like joy bound by a monstrous chain- 
Ringing through my soul and heart, and back again — 
Then lightly sighing like the dying of a soft refrain, 
Lives my love for YOU. 

191S 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 11 



temptation 



JIKhe Tempter came and with enticing words, 
^w/ Invited me into his world of sin ; 
And, pointing out the victims he controlled, 
Enumerated pleasures I could win. 

The flesh was weak and all inclined to plunge 

Into that throng where virtues lose their praise- 
Where vile pollution, like a tyrant, reigns 
O'er millions with intoxicated craze. 

But just before the depths received my soul 
My spirit cried to God, amidst the strife : 
**0 save me from the hell of such a hope, 

And give me grace to live a righteous life" 

And as I prayed a vision came to me : 
The hand of Jesus, waiting, mine to grasp ; 

For He, the Victor over that same test, 
Could surely guide me until it was past. 

In mockery the tempter put to tests, 
And made a sullen siege against my strength — 

Beguiling me with prospects of reward 
And profit he would give to me at length. 

He, in his wily ways, threw in my path 
The things to which a man is apt to yield. 

With their enchanting beauty, graceful, fair. 
And all the mighty affect they could wield. 

Then came again the tempter in disguise. 
As oft he comes to men he would subdue. 

Engraving on the chart before my eyes, 
Ungodliness in glorious, righteous hue. 

0, it is hard to stand for righteousness. 
When all around you sin seems far more sweet. 

And satan works within your carnal frame 
With burning passions for the indiscreet. 

But must I fall ? When God receives a soul 
In refuge from the siege of satan 's host — 

As long as he can trust in Him for strength. 
So long in sin that soul shall not be lost ! 

The Christian Index, Atlanta, Sept. 28, 191S 



12 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



^n Appeal 



ROTHERS of mine, who serve our country today, 
Has the war flames consumed your best ? 
Does the Almighty Lord who created you 
Commune with the soul in your breast? 

O, this is a question you should not evade — 

The question of your soul's estate, 
For the whirlpool of war is tvviriing us fast 

Toward destiny's blood-stained floodgate. 

Why then be consumed by the war and its flame ? 

Let all your best motives control ; 
For though you may have to give your mortal life, 

God would save your immortal soul. 

Maybe that your heart has not given up, 

To the gentle knock at its door ; 
And some one has taught you to foolishly think 

That Christ will not knock any more. 

But still He is knocking, so humble yourself — 
Accept Jesus Christ as your King ; 

Be baptized and take up your cross in His name- 
Then jubilant angels will sing. 

There may have been time when your glory was to 

Do good in the name of the Lord, 
Your actions were prompted— your thoughts were 
controlled 

By teachings in Flis Holy Word. 

But routine has marred all the joy you once had— 
You've thought that the Lord had no place 

In the life that your country has called on you for— 
You have marred both your life and your face. 

No " Death-bed religion " would I point you to, 

To last 'till the danger is past, 
For whether you die or all danger survive, 

That kind of religion can't last. 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 13 



But I would invite you to think of it long, 
Drink deep of the Water of Light ; 

Be sure that the Father has answered your prayer- 
Then trust as you go forth to fight. 

Circ^llar, Y. M. C. A. War Work Council, Neto York. N. Y.. 1917 



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14 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



3ln m WBth of m JfUrt 

'^ir^lS quiet now and birds have flown, 
^^ Each to its own snug nest, 
And now's the time that man and beast 
Should all be safe at rest. 

But yet my heart I cannot still 

And rest as others do, 
For all the time my heart is filled 

With longings, Dear, for you. 

Thou fairest one, I know not why 

My love is all for Thee, 
When it is true, I cannot tell 

If you, at all, love me. 

My love for you has wondered on, 

Just now and then a smile— 
You seem to say 'most ev'ry day : 
"I'll love you after 'while." 

And I've waited these long months— 
I'll wait no longer though ; 

For whether or not you love me, 
Right now I want to know. 

Be not backward in telling me 
Another you love best — 

For it would not be hard for you 
To tell me with a jest. 

But if in your heart there burns a 

Love for a lover true. 
Just tell me now, don't hesitate 

For I surely love Thee too. 

At L. G. I. in 1910 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 15 



^ Eoofeie ^t Eetrcat 

HEN the Companies have fallen in 
And lined up for retreat, 
And when we go a-marching down 

Our regimental street, 
O, it makes me mighty nervous 

And my feet just won't keep pace 
If I look among the crowds and see 
My Sweetheart's beaming face. 

There she is among the folks that 

Form the line the guards have ruled, 
And she's looking close to see me 

Or else I am badly fooled. 
O, the sight of her is glorious — 

Though I've seen her oft before— 
Though for years I know I've loved her— 

Somehow nov/ I love her more. 

I know that I have orders : 

I must "Head up — eyes to front" 
(When you're marching at attention, 

You can't even sigh or grunt) 
But I think about my sweetheart 

And the joy of just one glance — 
They may put me in the guard house. 

But I've got to take a chance ! 

When she smiles at me so sweetly — 

As her face is turned to mine, 
How my chest swells up with courage ; 

I could break the German line ! 
0, it makes me mighty nervous, 

And my feet just won't keep pace, 
When I look among the crowds and see 

My sweetheart's beaming face ! 

The Macon Daily Telegraph, Sept., 1916 



16 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



mo 



a Valentine 

^jr'ODAY 1 went into a store 
^^ Where valentines are sold, 
And saw a thousand different kinds 
In yellow, green and gold. 

I only bought a paper though — 

A Sunday's New York Times ; 
'I have no use," I told the man 
"For foolish valentines." 

But now I must confess to you 

I feel a little blue. 
Because I couldn't send one of 

Those valentines to you. 

You know the reason, I am sure : 
That little fuss we had ; 

You misinterpreted my note 
Then made me piping mad. 

I didn't make myself as clear 

As now I guess I can, 
But vowed when writing to you last 

I'd never write again. 

But old St. Valentine tells me 
Such vows I shouldn't make ; 

So I apologize for all 

I said— that vow I'll break. 

I don't know what he said to you, 
But I don't think he's fair, 

If he has caused me to relent 
And has not made you care. 

But if he's lied to me (the brute !) 
At least, please don't get sore, 

For I'll not torment you again 
If this note you ignore. 

Yet, be he truthful or untrue, 
Couid I call back the time, 

I think I'd go into that store 
For you a Valentine. 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 17 



®i)at "0lii ^rap Ponnct" ^unc 

(Official Air Second Georgia Infantry— 121st) 

HEN the " Second " goes to battle, 
How we'll make our rifles rattle, 
As we mow down Germans — history will tell ; 
But 'twill fill us full of daring, 
If, while dangers we are sharing, 
Some one gives a healthy " Old Gray Bonnet " yell. 

Like the English, we are ready 

With our life's blood, yet we're steady- 
Like the French, we hope as victors, to live long. 

And 'twill be a bit of glory 

As we tell each thrilling story. 
To connect it with ** That Old Gray Bonnet " song. 

If we fight in France or Flanders, 
Under new or old commanders, 

After vict'ry song will form on ev'ry tongue ; 
But the " Old Gray Bonnet" band will, 
By example, give command till. 

By all men, the **01d Gray Bonnet" has been sung. 

With a petty provocation, 

Men of our own State and Nation, 

Learned how high the * ' Bonnet ' ' stood in our esteem ; 
And that incident will serve us 
As proof that the song will nerve us 

In the future battles of which we now dream. 

We don't say the song's immortal 
Nor that Heaven's Holy portal 

Will consider all its men from hell immune ; 
Yet, while holy bands are playing. 
Some old Vet'ran will be saying : 

"Hey, I wish you'd play **That Old Gray Bonnet " 

tune. 

Macon Daily Telegraph, May 6, 1917 



18 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



®t)e jfiamc 



)F all the surging hopes that I have known 
Throughout the time since I have been a boy, 
No hope has ever gripped the whole of me, 
Like my nev/ hope, and given such a joy. 

I've had the hopes of most all normal boys— 
To watch the great Atlantic splash her shores ; 

To take the place of some old fisherman, 
And fight the waves with his two oaken oars. 

I've longed to see the wild, wide spreading West, 
The peaceful plains, and still more peaceful sea, 

The beauty of old California's bloom— 
The grandeur of the Yosemite. 

The snow capped hills along both Northern coasts 
The fruit that grows in balmy Southern States ; 

The Georgia cotton fields of which I've sung— 
The wheat of which old Oklahoma rates. 

Majestic peaks that pierce the Western sky ; 

The em'rald mounds of Carolina's pride ; 
The Silver Spring — a gem of Florida, 

So clear, its depths no mortal thing can hide. 

These are the hopes— in part— that I have known— 
To see the things that lure the youthful mind ; 

I've traveled some— and some of them I've seen, 
And some of them are yet for me to find. 

But from the calls I fancy I have heard, 
And all the visions, in my dreams, I've seen, 

I turn again to one above them all — 
A clearer, louder call, and one more keen. 

And I believe this master hope is born 
Of all the other hopes that I have known ; 

They've melted as do minerals in fire. 
And out of them the present flame has grown. 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 19 



For "Over there " my comrades long have been, 
(I've been kept here— yet I've been there at heart) 

And " Over there," there is a part for me — 
A little part indeed — but still a part. 

A part, of course, infinitesimal, 

Compared with our great Nations arm of might, 
And yet to me so wonderfully great 

Will be each hour that I am in the fight. 

And this will make me fight when my time comes ; 

I'll see the vision of a smiling face, 
Unfurled will be Old Glory all around it, 

And through the flag, America, I'll trace. 

October, 1918 



20 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



^atiit'g Cable 

CARLY in our lives are formed, 
The habits that control us— 
A time or two we do a thing, 
Then will it soon enroll us. 

At first the cords it binds us with 
Are eas'ly enough broken ; 

And oft unnoticed is their hold — 
They sound no warning token. 

But twice or thrice we do the act 
The cords become some tighter ; 

To do the thing is easier — 
The prospects of it brighter. 

Again perform it, it becomes 

A part of us to do it, 
Before we are aware of it 

Mere instinct leads us to it. 

'Till finally the cords become 
One solid, big, round cable. 

Deceiving and defying us 
And proving us unstable. 

The things that we would not do then 
This cable makes us do them ; 

And things that we prefer to shun 
It simply drags us through them. 

Likewise the things we want to do 
Some how we soon are shunning, 

And after things that we deplore 
We find our feet are running. 

From, a Sermon by Dr. Robert C. Cranberry, 1912 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 21 



^i)t fitter mh tfje ^toeet 

ERE there no anguish and hot tears 
No thorns to prick our feet — 
Were there no bitter things in life, 

To come among the sweet- 
Were there no woe for us to fear 

No deep and bitter pain — 
Were there no goal to work toward, 
No victory to gain — 

Were there no longing for the things 
That seem just out of sight — 

Were there no need for Godly fear, 
And there no need to fight — 

Were there no heaviness of heart 
To weight the haughty down — 

Were there no enemies to win. 
Before we wear our crown— 

The life we live upon the earth 

Could never be so sweet, 
And we would love Him less when we 

Shall worship at His feet. 

And so the bitter comes in life — 
Not always know we why, 

But God has willed it. He'll reveal 
The secret by and by. 

The Silver ClartGn, July, 1917 



> 



22 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



#rabuation #reetingg 

^jP'ODAY you are the Victor 
^^ Over all that great array 
Of tasks, that thru the past year 
Have met you from day to day. 

You stand upon a summit 

Of achievement, nov\^ sublime ; 

You're due a lot of credit 

For that hill's been hard to climb. 

But from your lofty hilltop 
You have a v/ider view — 

From whence the world is brighter, 
The air is purer too. 

And He who gave you courage 
For battles you have won, 

Would still befriend and guide you 
Until your work is done. 

For He expects to gather 
Each polished gem you ov/n, 

And use them in His kingdom 
On earth, 'till you go Home. 

We who, through knowing, love you. 
Both near and far away, 

Would join in one great chorus : 
"We're proud of you today." 



May. 1917 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 23 



la iltllton Mtn 

(To Marshall A. Hudson, Pres. World-Wide Baraca-Philathea Union) 

^IT^HERE was a man in Syracuse, 
^w/ A merchant man was he ; 
And fortune smiled on him and he 
Beheld prosperity 
Before him in his pathway and 
It cheered the heart of him. 
Yet in his heart he cherished not 
Mankind's most precious gem, 

'Till God in mercy looked on him 
And saw beneath the sin, 
Rock bottom good, integrity ; 
A soul that He could win. 
So Jesus gently knocked until 
His worldly heart He stirred : 
And then the inward faith bade him 
To open to his Lord. 

And soon he sought to win a friend- 
He longed for him to know 
What Jesus Christ had done for him 
What still he yearned to do. 
He won him ! and it gave him joy 
He had not known 'till then ; 
And so he prayed for strength and grace 
To make the num.ber ten. 

He made it ten ! As days went on 
He reached the hundred mark- 
Still on he went a-winning souls 
And smiling at his work. 
Licreasing love for men bade him 
To quit his trade— begin 
The work that God had called him to- - 
To win a " Million Men." 

The Baraca & Philathea News, Syracuse, N. Y., Sept., 1914- 



24 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



Mtmovit^ 



^j^HE memories that you have kept, 
^^ Of your most happy days, 
All pasted up in this big book 

In many curious ways, 
Are not at all nonsensical 

According to my mind ; 
Although you choose to term them that 

And faults with them you find. 

I think that they are honored, who 

Have crept into this book 
By way of these quaint memories 

At which I love to look. 
And as for parts that you have played 

In service, school and fun, 
A world-wide search for parallels, 

I'm sure would disclose none. 

Although a string of memories 

Comes rushing to your mind, 
Each time you turn these pages 

And familiar faces find, 
I'm longing for a little place 

Within your memory, 
Where these will not be needed to 

Cause you to think of me. 



April. 1916 



iss Louise Gewinner, 
If you get much thinner 
You'll be most unhappy, you say 
Hence I truly hope that 
You'll soon grow to be fat, 
And throw all your worry away ! 



April 28th. 1915 



1915 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 25 



Co ^n (Optimist 

^T always does a fellow good 
To meet such girls as you, 
When things don't go along just right 
And he's a-feeling blue. 

'Cause, somehow, you just cheer him up. 

Your jolly jocund way 
Just knocks a fellow's grouch sky high 

Forever and for aye. 

Of course you have your troubles 

Like other people do 
But you just smile, contented, 

As if it suited you. 

Go on then through your happy world 

And wear a great big smile- 
Regardless of what else you do. 
That's mighty well worth while ! 



\f you have found a girl who's different, 
Toward whose existence all your thought is bent- 
If you are dreaming of her through the night, 
And thinking of her charms while it is light — 
If you behold her face's golden glow. 
Like phantoms, play before you, to and fro— 
If you are not content v/hen not with her, 
And she alone love's passion can bestir— 
If she's to you so infinitely dear 
That over you she casts an awkward fear — 
If you could rest contented all your life, 
With no one else but her — in joy or strife — 
Then you're in love ! 



1910 



26 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



^nnit Claire 

Jtr'HE door to day-dream's chamber 
^^ Opes and a lass is there : 
A smiling face before me — 
The face of Annie Claire. 

The world goes from before me — 

All else forgot, I stare 
At nothing — but the image of 

This lady, Annie Claire. 

Her face, as full of sunshine 
As though she had no care 

To rid her heart of gladness — 
The happy Annie Claire. 

Now this is how it happened 
To greet me in the air— 

And this is how I met her — 
This lady, Annie Claire. 

One day while 1 was walking 
Down town — right over there 

I saw them playing tennis : 
A friend and Annie Claire. 

Some how, I stopped and ran for 
The balls 'till dusk drew near ; 

My friend then introduced me 
To her friend, Annie Claire. 

I see her in this day-dream ; 

I'm here and she is there, 
But 0, the joy to me when 

I'll be with Annie Claire ! 



191S 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 27 



Cfjings eternal 

,ALF of the world is filled with woe, 
And half the rest with laughter, 
And half the things are worthless that 
The world is running after. 

And half the things that I've desired. 
And spent my life in gaining, 

Have left me none the better off. 

But worse, and still complaining. 

Then, 'rouse me ! Let my soul awake 
To lasting things and real ; 

That they may guide me safely past 
The worldly winds I feel. 

1918 



0n tf)e porber 



'HEN its raining on the Border 
And the snow is falling too. 
And the mud sticks to a fellow 

Just like so much thickened glue — 
When the top of old Mount Franklyn 

Is capped with ice and snow, 
And you see a fellow freezing 
Nearly everywhere you go- 
When the wind blows on the Border, 

Dry, and full of dust and sand, 
'Till you think you've eaten of it 
'Bout as much as you can stand — 
I want to go home ! 



28 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



Hov^HVf Caracas 



^f OYALLY, Baracas, let our lives declare 
^ To young men the message that our Savior bare ; 
"Standing by the Bible and the Bible School, 
And the Church," and living by the golden rule. 
Constantly, Baracas, stand at any cost, 
By our greatest trials oft we win the lost ; 
And a thoughtless action or a careless word 
Sometimes leaves men doubting holy things they 've heard. 
Faithfully, Baracas, let us learn to know 
That His hard is guiding ev'ry where we go. 
Do things for the Master— lea^, e results for Him— 
His will be the harvest—He will get each gem. 

Cover, The Baraca & Philathea News, Syracuse, N. Y., Feb., 1916 



§ou, Mp Hobe, anb i 

AST night our souls met in that blest realm of happines 
And flew together like two mating birds. 
Away, and to that Heav'n-kissed fountain of love 

And drank sublimest thoughts— not meant for words. 

To me no more blissful thoughts were ever given 

Than those I thought and dreamed of you last night, 

For it is part of Heaven to know and love you. 

And with your love the whole world seems aright. 

Love costs. The little price we pay some times looks large 

(But no great thing is gained when nothing's lost) 
Yet its God's gift, the greatest of His gifts to us ; 
And one day's love is worth what it all cost. 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 29 



iHorc of CfjriSt 



(^T times when I'm discouraged 
^^ And everything goes wrong, 
When all the world seems banded 

Into one fearful throng, 
Denying hopes and pleasures. 

And things that I hold dear— 
'Tis Jesus gently warning 

Me that the tempter's near. 

When things that I've enjoyed 
Seem all to lose their charm — 

When friends who once were dearest 
No longer lend an arm — 

When joys that God has given 
Seem not to be for me — 

'Tis just the Savior's message : 
** You're not what you should be." 

'Tis best for things to come in life 

To make me stop and think, 
When duties to Him I neglect, 

And danger's on the brink — 
When I take like into my hands, 
To hear His words— nor heed— 
For when I pray about it, 
'Tis more of Christ I need. 

The Silver Clarion, December, 1917 



30 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



la ^earl 



^UCH happiness and joy as have been mine 

Since I've been in your presence these short hours 
Are as uncommon to me as purple 

Rhododendron's rare in the realm of flow'rs. 

Your face— angelic— bears Divine imprint ; 

Your silv'ry voice I long to always hear. 
Though sorrow may have dimmed your radiant eyes, 

They beam like they had never born a tear. 

O, like the seeker after goodly gems 

Sold all he had to buy one precious pearl, 

So for your love I'd sell with willing mind 
The greatest thing I have in all the world. 



i»ig 



3i(F the way you are walking is crooked- 
'3/ If the part that you play is unfair, 

Then the world will know 

By your outward show, 
Of the life that you inwardly share. 

But if you've been walking with Jesus 
And His love is now leading you on 

The signs of His grace 

Will show in your face 
'Till your thoughts of the Holy are gone. 



The Silver Clarion, February, 19iS 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 31 



®o #earg!a'g Jf ir^t Jf ibe ^unhvth ' 



y|^OODBY boys, God bless you ! 



May the eternal God of wars and peace 
Be God to all beneath your flag today, 
And bless you as you sail into the fray — 

Protecting you until all war shall cease. 

From depths of our fraternal love for you, 
And warmth of heart that's born of comradship 
¥/e say, while grasping- hands with firmest grip- 
Knowing you'll do bravely all that you must do— 
Goodby boys, God bless you ! 

Tlie Macon Daily Telegraph, 1917 

* 151st M. G. Bn., Rainbow Div.-The Macon Boys. 



Congratulations 



1916 



'fjf'o you, Old Pal. I proudly send 
^^ These glad congratulations ; 
I hope your joys will far exceed 
Your greatest expectations. 

And unto her, whose heart you've v/on, 

A million more good wishes. 
May all her heartaches, throughout life, 

Be conquered by your kisses. 



T3 



^our promise 



^Jf the promise you've made is a bad one 
-^ To keep it is worse ; 

Unless love weighs the more, and shall lead you, 
You'll find it a curse. 



32 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



Cfje $lan tlTijat WBotktb 

gfOHN sat with a grin 

J/ Half circling his chin, 

And bashfully pleaded with Mary 

To give him a kiss ; 

He thought 'twould be bliss 

Just once to embrace her — his dearie ! 

He thought it a shame 
That it was in vain, 
And that she still acted contrary, 
For long it had been, 
Since courting began 
' Twixt John and his beautiful Mary. 

With shoulders held high. 
She sighed a small sigh 
And wondered if he'd really do it ; 
"'Twould be a disgrace 
Should you kiss my face 
And mother would not consent to it. ' ' 

"Your mother," he said, 

His face flushing red, 
"No doubt, this kiss would surprise her." 

But when he'd begun 

'Twas easily done, 

And mother was not any wiser. 

The Silver Clarion. August, 1917 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 33 



^ $0£fgibtUtp 



^HALL this great Nation ever, ever fall 
So far beneath its present lofty height 
That it shall take its women's purity, 

And tell them, in their sinning, it is right ? 

For other nations have bowed down so low, 

Who, like we, would have shuddered at the thought, 

When first their feet were swept into the tide — 

Not dreaming, then, the wreckage war has wrought. 

And so they rob each youthful mother's breast 

Of all the sacred holiness it knows, 
And take away the glory of her name. 

Like taking color from a crimson rose. 

It need not come to us though, if we all 
Just realize the need now of our land, 

And rally, with the most that we can do. 
And give our country all it shall demand. 

The foe we fight is not a feeble folk 

And they have proven difficult to beat, 

But we can, if we summon all our strength, 
Compel them to admit their own defeat. 

But if the population, drowsily, 

Evade the war, and scheme for self alone, 

Calamities that other nations know, 

We may awake some day, to find our own. 

The Macon Daily Telegraph. 1917 



34 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



gour Vtt&tsi 



-^If^HE lines you send to Ed today 
^^ 'Rouse a desire in me 
To see him write to Polly, and — 
More of your poetry. 

And, while Ed is a friend of mine, 
He'll look down my gun barrel. 

If soon he doesn't take the time 
To write to Pauline Harrel. 

But guns won't shoot from me to you- 

I only can implore : 
Remember that I like your rhymes — 

Pray, won't you send me more? 

Think not because one soldier boy 
Neglected once his writing, 

That we have all forgotten girls 
And think alone of fighting. 



0« the Border, 1916 



W 

^ 



Victor? 



'd rather be a victor 
Over sin than own the world, 
And after one short season 

Have my soul to torment hurled— 

I'd rather win a battle 

With my carnal self and be 

Free from the guilt of sin though all 
The world should laugh at me. 



Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 35 



1913 



p words e'er told immortal things, 
If e'er they bore undying strains, 
I send to you now on their wings. 

My sympathy sincere ; 
And soon I hope a magic day 
Will waft its healing winds your way 
And blow your lurid ills to stay 

Far, far away, my Dear ! 

(Although, while at twenty, 

^^ Yo've beauty a-plenty. 

And the loss of it you needn't fear. 
May more beauty graces 
Leave with you their traces 

From the wings of each fleeting year ! 



Who writes his name well with a pen. 

Receives a bit of honor, 
But he who writes on the hearts of men 

Writes better and much longer. 



36 Lyrics of a Georgia Soldier 



ILi&t of tTitlea! 

Introduction 5 

My Ship 6 

My Georgia Girl 9 

Volunteer 7 

A Rookie at Retreat 15 

That " Old Gray Bonnet " Tune 17 

On the Border 27 

To Georgia's First Five Hundred 31 

Red Cross Slackers 10 

An Appeal 12 

A Possibility 33 

Temptation 11 

Victory 34 

Habit's Cable 20 

Your Outward Show 30 

The Bitter and the Sweet 21 

Things Eternal 27 

Graduation Greetings 22 

A Million Men 23 

Loyally, Baracas 28 

Memories 24 

A Pearl 30 

A Test 25 

You, My Love, and I 28 

Vibrations 10 

"Annie Claire " 26 

In the Web of the Flirt 14 

A Valentine ; ... 16 

To an Optimist 25 

For a Birthday Book 24 

The Plan That W.orked 32 

Congratulations 31 

Who Writes His Name > 35 

A Birthday Wish 35 

More of Christ 29 

Your Verses 34 

A Wish 35 

The Flame 18 

The Flame 18 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 

018 603 673 6 



